The other two people in Cook's vehicle, who are not being identified because they are witnesses to the shooting, told Hartford police detectives that they realized Cook had been hit when they saw blood dripping from his right eye. Cook passed out quietly as if he had fallen asleep, they said.

Cook died before 11 p.m. near the historic Statehouse Square shortly after the March 21 shooting. Details of his last moments were released Thursday in documents obtained from Superior Court in Hartford.

Superior Court Judge Carl Taylor found probable cause Thursday to charge 18-year-old James Manson of Sheldon Street and Vineland Terrace in Hartford with murder, criminal use of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit and driving with a suspended license.

City police arrested Manson in the North End Wednesday after getting an anonymous tip.

One of the witnesses told police he was certain he could identify the shooter, a warrant said. He said "he sees this guy's face every night as he closes his eyes."

After Thursday's arraignment, about 40 family members representing the suspect and the victim cried as Manson was taken away by court marshals. He was jailed with bail set at $1 million.

"It's senseless violence, black on black crime," said Michelle Morris, a mother of a 16-year-old and a representative of Mothers United Against Violence who came to support Cook's family.

"It's stupid. I keep my boy in the house. I can't go through what these families are going through," she said.

The Cook family gathered in a circle outside of the courthouse and prayed for thanks that Cook's alleged killer was caught. They also prayed for Manson's family.

"Pray we can find some harmony in this darkness," said the Rev. Henry Brown, who led the initial prayer.

"Bless the other family, too," added Linda Wilson Brown, one of Cook's relatives.

Representatives of Manson's family declined to comment.

Cook's family and friends wore T-shirts that featured his picture and the words "Tray Cook RIP."

Cook and the two other young men had come to Hartford from Manchester to visit Cook's uncle, the arrest warrant said. They ended up downtown after taking the wrong exit off of the highway.